Research Rousseau Mc Clellan 91 public Schools in Indianapolis, Indiana

“My son is getting ready to start 2nd grade at 91 - he started there in kindergarten after attending a private montessori preschool. So far, we have had a fabulous experience. We are huge proponents of the montessori philosophy so this school was a great fit for our family. The teachers and staff are hard working and are the best around. My son's teacher for grades 1-3 is wonderful. The kids all work hard and learn from day one how important it is to be responsible and accountable for their own work and behavior. The school does a good job of meeting kids where they are academically. The school is very safe and they have very few discipline issues. My son takes karate as an extracurricular activity. The school has a great competitive chess club, too. The kids get art, music, and P.E. twice a week and recess every day.”

“The atmosphere at the school is very positive. The staff work very hard and are there many extra hours doing their jobs. I feel that I can visit the school and volunteer and it is appreciated. Great place to be a parent and a student.”

“I have two children at School 91 who have had a wonderful educational experience. They both started as kindergartners with no Montessori experience, and my husband and I were a little uncertain about what Montessori would really work for our family. My daughters will now soon enter middle school at School 91 and the school has been a good fit for all of us. School 91 has helped them become confident, independent learners who do well on standardized tests and are comfortable in a diverse social setting. I am now a big believer in the Montessori method and the school itself, which has some of the best teachers anywhere. I am also pleased with the art, music, science lab, and technology. Instead of spending money on private school tuition, we've been able to do many things (travel, extracurricular activities) that also have enriched their education.”

“My daughter just started at 91 this year. So far we are very pleased. She came from a private Montessori school, so the adjustment was relatively easy. I'm impressed by her teacher (Mrs. Valinetz) and how she handles her classroom and communicates with the parents. Teacher/parent communication is always tricky, but Mrs. Valinetz has it down to a science. How refreshing. There is a high level of parent involvement and a very active Parent Group which sponsers family oriented funraisers and events. My daughter takes karate after school. She also gets music, art & PE several times a week. It really is a 'best kept secret' and I'm so glad to have a top notch school in our neighborhood!”

“I am a parent of two former students of School 91. Our two sons attended the school from kindergarten through 8th grade. Our youngest graduated 8th grade this year. There is not another school public or private that would have been a better fit for our two boys. The administration, staff and parents are among the best anywhere. The commitment and creativity they exhibit by teaching a solid Montessori curriculum within a public school system is exemplary. The student population is diverse both racially and socio-economically, and they thrive in this loving and stimulating environment. Unlike private schools which have control over their population, this is a public school that is populated via a lottery system. The children of varying skill levels work together and succeed. The interaction between the older students, as mentors, and the younger children is amazing. This is a wonderful, true school community in every sense of the word.”

“I have two children who went from kindergarten through 8th grade here. Unlike the parent in the other post who found that her child in the intermediate grades was not challenged and not allowed to progress above her peers, I didn't find that. My children were challenged, and very well prepared for high school. I know of many intermediate students who were challenged with higher grade level work and even went into the middle school to do work at their own level. Parent involvement is the best in the district. I am also an IPS staff person and have worked in 10 IPS schools. This school is #1 when it comes to principal, staff, and extracurricular activities.”

“Rousseau McClellan School 91 is an excellent school. The focus of the school is Montessori which has been great for my children. I can't think of a better school for them to have attended. The Principal is great. She works well with the staff and the students. She has made a lot of changes that have moved the school to another level. The teachers that my kids have had have been warm, loving, willing to give the extras it takes to help children succeed. The school is clean and welcoming. If you have a chance to attend here, DO!!!”

“I have two children at this school, both of whom can't wait for school to start next week. They love the school and I have great confidence in the education they have been receiving. Many of our friends send their children to this school also and are very pleased also. We have chosen public education and were thrilled to have gotten into this magnet. Montessori is the right place for our children. The staff works hard to make sure students do well. The school now has a school nurse which is extremely helpful. The principal is always welcoming and provides many extras for the students. There are lots of out of school events for the kids and the families. It truly is a community school.”

“As a parent at this school, I have been very pleased with the progress my children have made. The school is clean, well cared for, promotes a positive caring attitude and is a safe place for students to go to school. The principal and the staff are excellent. There are many parents who volunteer their time, although I think there could be more. It's not the school's fault, parents are very welcome there, they just don't come. There are activities after school for the kids. You need to have your own transportation though which sometimes is a problem. My kids and I really, really like this school. I would highly recomment it other parents and students. It's one of the best, if not the best in IPS.”

“I am a parent of 3 children at 91, one of which is graduated to high school, one in 8th, and one in 6th. Since my oldest daughter was 3 she was able to read and after going to several IPS schools and interviewing several kindergarten teachers, I felt that only 91 was able to strengthen her ablilities. I have been thrilled for 10 years with the staff and their ability to work with all my kids different abilities. My middle child has a learning disablity and the resource staff has been outstanding. I have recommened school 91 to several families and know that they would feel just as blessed as i have. I feel very lucky that my kids are at 91.”

“I am the parent of kids entering 6th, 4th and 1st grades at IPS#91. I have been very happy with the teachers' abilities, warmth and professionalism. My kids have been challenged academically because the Montessori approach allows the teacher to tailor lessons to each individual. In fact, I have been amazed at the lengths to which teachers will go to make sure each student has assignments specific to his or her level. In addition, when my kids were the oldest in the class, they helped other students learn, thus reinforcing their own learning and giving them the opportunity to nuture others. With regard to discipline issues, the administration has reponded with appropriate firmness and concern, and has shown a willingness to problem-solve WITH me, which I have appreciated.”

“I am much more in agreement with the parent who believes that there child has had a really positive experience at School 91. My children also attend the school and have had great teachers who have met their needs. Having had 3 students go through intermediate, I don't have a clue as to where that parent is coming from on one grade level. The teachers do not spend their time only focussing on textbooks but bring in broad experiences from many different sources. I believe that my children have been challenged there. My older two have been extremely successful in high school and it is my understanding that most of the school's graduates do. The current Principal has done an excellent job of bringing focus to the school, bringing in grant moneys and making the school a strong community focus. Please read between the lines with that one disruntled parent. Thanks.”

“I have two students at this school and am very pleased with the program. The staff truly care about the students and give much more than is required to make sure the students learn. There is a very friendly community oriented feel about the school. Many families come into the program not knowing much about the Montessori program, but end up really appreciating this hands on, student centered approach. I would recommend this program to any parent reading about the school.”

“Rousseau McClellan has been the changing point for my daughter. I have been truly impressed by the professionalism of the teachers and staff persons at the school. My daughter, who is 'special needs' has been to several schools and this, by far, has been the most rewarding for her. She has been able to increase her performance and is in an atmosphere where she is challenged and encouraged. I could not even begin to explain how WONDERFUL the schools is; including the principal, teachers, and aides! Jami Perkins”

“This public Montessori school is divided into primary (K-3, intermediate (4-6), and middle school. I was thrilled with the program when my gifted child was a primary student, as she received much work at her ability. I am not at all happy with her in intermediate, where each grade works at one grade level. I was amazed when the principal stated that it was not Montessori to separate gifted children. Montessori is all about meeting the child's needs, working with the child where he or she is. In addition, the principal takes a hands-off approach, not in the interest of good leadership, but as a means of being nonconfrontational. When I voiced a complaint about one teacher, the principal insisted she'd never heard anything negative about that teacher. Later I found out that probably 15 or more parents had recently complained about that teacher. While my child is thriving socially at this school, I've begun looking elsewhere so that she can be challenged academically and not fall behind her private school peers.”